Wallabies job at bottom of Deans-McKenzie maul

Date: May 21 2013

Phil Lutton

It’s hard to believe such a mythical place exists in Australian rugby at the moment but the events of the past few days go beyond Quade Cooper.

You wouldn’t know it judging by the reaction to the 25-man squad unveiled by Robbie Deans on Sunday. Cooper, in being frozen out, became a far bigger story than any player picked, dwarfing the call-up of ex-NRL star and registered AFL participant Israel Folau.

It had been largely predicted but the outrage/endorsement has been nothing if not spirited. People love or loathe Cooper. Judging by the tone of fierce online disputes, Deans now occupies similar territory among the code's fractured fan base.

Yet Cooper is only one part of a bigger picture in terms of the Wallaby coaching job. In keeping the Reds playmaker at arm’s length, Deans has presented his ongoing vision for the national side, one starkly at odds to that of Ewen McKenzie, his chief rival for the game’s top job.

Cooper may still have a chance to be part of the wider squad but given what has transpired in the past and what has been said this week, it would appear he stands little chance of playing in the opening Test against the British and Irish Lions.

Deans also suggested on radio that not only is Cooper struggling with his game, he’s starting to bring down those around him, like out-of-favour Reds centre Ben Tapuai. It’s a damning indictment on a player whose main task is to make those around him flourish.

Deans may not occupy the sturdiest of grounds but this remains his Australian side and it will be fashioned to his liking. He has stuck to his guns with Cooper and would love nothing better than to show his employers he can beat the tourists without one of men central to McKenzie’s Wallaby platform.

In deciding to quit the Reds at season’s end, McKenzie has laid his cards on the table and as such, his tone has started to become more bullish. The job interview is public and ongoing.

He believes he knows how to get the best out of Cooper and has mounted a number of robust defences about his five-eighth, the latest coming on the weekend when he strongly debunked suggestions his defence was sub-par.

He’s also started to outline his concept for the Wallabies should he be pulling the strings. The stocks would inevitably be tweaked, as would the style of play and interactions and relationships off the field.

Part of Queensland’s frustration surrounding Cooper is that his game is analysed to within an inch of its life, with his detractors pouncing on any imperfection as forensic evidence he can’t be trusted.

In a sizzling first half against the Sharks before the South African tour, Cooper played some fine rugby, laying on tries and controlling his kicks as if the ball was on a string. But a kick out on the full would mark his card and only gave his critics fresh ammunition.

The QRU know he is far from perfect. They also know you can find holes in anyone’s game if you spend all of your time looking for them.

All the while, statistics like Michael Hooper’s missed tackle count - at 29 the second highest in Super Rugby - are rarely up for discussion. Hooper is a fine player who does a mountain of work but that figure must at least be of some concern going into a Lions series.

To add to the muddle, the raft of reasons provided for Cooper’s exclusion has started to mount. First it was defence, then attack and finally, his inability or unwillingness to share the playmaking workload with his outside men.

Given Deans played Cooper inside of the distinctly non-playmaking Pat McCabe in the Wallaby set-up, it didn’t really provide any further clarity.

Cooper has become the main bargaining chip but under it all lies the vastly conflicting coaching philosphies of two men who desire the same thing. Deans wants to retain his job. McKenzie wants his job.

With the die now cast for the Lions tour, the ideologies of both candidates have never been more transparent. It will be up to the ARU to decide down which road they want to travel.

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